Phonograph



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

T. A. EDISON.

. PHONOGRAPH.

No. 386,974. Patented July 31, 1888.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2. (No Mde1` T. A. EDISON.

PHONOGRAPH. I No. 386,974. Patented July 3l, 1888.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3. T. A. EDISON.

'PHONOGRAPH- (No Model.)

Patented July 3l, 1.888.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. EDISON, OF LLEVELLYN PARK, NEW JERSEY.

PHONOGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 386,974, dated July 31, 1888.

Application filed November 26, 1887. Serial No. 256,189.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, TnoMAs A. EDIsoN, of Llewellyn Park, in the county'of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Phonographs, (Case No. 741,) of which the following is a specification.

The object I havein view is, generally, to so improve the phonograph that it will be well adapted for use by the public and will be a convenientand eilieient machine for various uses.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof', Figure l is a top view of the machine; Fig. 2, a horizontal section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 3, with a diagram ofthe motor connections; Fig. 3, a vertical section on the line 3 3 in Fig. l, with the swinging holder and gnidearm thrown back; Fig. 4, an elevation of the machine looking at the end of the phonogram cylinder; Fig. 5, top View of the swinging holder carrying the recorder and reprodueer; Fig. 6, aside elevation of the guidearm; Fig'. 7, a sectional View, on an enlarged scale, showing the engagement ot' the spring guide-block with thelead-screw; Figs. S and 9, a bottom view and central section, respectively, of the recorder; Figs. l0 and 11, a bottom view and central section, respectively, of the reprodncer; Fig. l2, an elevation of the guiderest; Fig. 13, a sectional view ot a phonogramblank showing by dotted lines its division into sections, and Fig. 14E an elevation showing the four different sizes of the phonogram-blank.

Like letters denote corresponding parts in all the figures.

The frame of the machine is constructed, for convenience, of a top and a bottom plate, A B, each constructed as aspider composed of four arms, the ends ol' the arms of the two frames being joined by vertical posts a. To these posts are connected the yokes of four magnets, C CO2 C, each projecting from the post to which it is attached toward the adjoining post, to which its pole-pieces are connected by bracesb of brass or other non-magnetic metal. The poles of the four magnets project inwardly, as shown, and are ent with concave faces, the poles oi' all four magnets being in the line ot' a circle. \Vitl1in this circle and mounted upon a vertical shaft, D,

(No model.)

is a flywheel, D', constructed of brass and having a heavy rim so as to increase its weight. Upon the periphery of the rim of the ily-wheel are secured a number of armatures, D2, of iron, which are placed vertically, equal distances apart,and travel in their movement close to the pole pieces of the magnets G, C', C, and C3. Upon the shaft D, above the wheel D', is mounted a sleeve, d, of insulating material, upon which is secured a metal collar, c, and above this collar a commutator,f, the commutator being composed of a ring of metal having its surface broken by blocks of insulating material, so that it presents alternate spaces of insulation and metal in a manner well understood. From the collar e projects an arm,Z, in aradial direction, and upon the end of this arm is pivoted a swinging weight-arm, d2, which, by its outward movement, moves a lever, da, which is held against its movement by an adjustable spring, d. The lever d bears normally upon the insulated contact-screw d5, which is connected by a wire with the base of the commutatorf.

The magnets C O C2 O3 have one end of their windings connected together by a wire, 2. The other end of the windings ot' the two opposite magnets C and Cz are connected together by a wire, 3, while the other ends ofthe windings of the opposite magnets C and C3 are connected together by a wire, 4. The wires 3 and 4 are connected with two springs, f and f2, which bear upon the face ol' the commutatorf. A spring, f3, bears directly upon the collar e. These three springs are supported by a circular piece of insulation, g, which is supported above the wheel D' and below the top plate by means of posts extending down from the top plate.

One pole ot' the battery E which drives the motor is connected with the wire 2, which joins one end ot' the windings of all the magnets, while the other pole ot` the battery is connected with the spring f, bearing upon the collar e. The parts are arranged so that the wheel D will be turned by the magnets always in the direction shown by the arrow in the drawings.

The magnets C and C2 first receive the current and attract two armatures upon the wheel, and then the magnets O and C receive the current and attract two armatures upon IOO standard h.

the wheel, the current being transferred from one pair of magnets to another in succession, so that the wheel is given a continuous rotary movement. lAn excess of battery-power is preferably used, and the speed of the wheel controlled by the governor, formed by the spring-retracted arms d2 and d3. This governor opens the circuit when the speed exceeds the normal, so that within limits of variation which are so small as to be practically of no effect in the operation of the machine the speed will be kept uniform. By the adjustnient of the spring d* the governor can be made to work at any desired point. use of an electro-magnetic motor of this description-namely, one composed of a heavy fly-wheel carrying armatures on its periphery, which are attracted by magnets arranged in a circle around the ily-wheel-a slow and uniform motion can be obtained, which is a matter of the highest importance in the operation of the phonograph, and tends to simplify the construction, since the complication introduced by the employment of a number. of speed-reducing wheels is avoided. Projecting from the collar e on the opposite side to the governor is an arm, g', carrying a weight at its end for counterbalancing the Weight of the governor, so that the wheel may be a balanced one. The shaft D is stepped on ajewel, g2, at the center of the bottom plate, A, giving freedom of movement .to the wheel and reducing the noise of friction to the minimum, so as to not affect materially the operation of the phonograph.

Upon the top plate, A, is journaled the horizontal shaft F, this shaft being carried by a journal-box, l1, in the top of an arched standard, h', at the center of the top plate, and at one end by ajournal-box, l1?, at the end of one of the arms of the top plate. Between the bearings h and 71,2 the shaft F is larger than it is outside of such bearings, so that it bears against the inner faces of the bearings by shoulders which prevent Vany A`longitudinal movement of the shaft. The shaft F projects beyond the bearing h to the opposite side of the machine from the bearing h, but is not supported at its end, it being free to receive the phonogram-cylinder G, which is slipped upon this shaft, preferably removably, and

held by a spring-pin, h3, taking into a hole inl the end of the shaft. This phonogram-cylinder is made hollow, of brass or other suitable metal, its heads bearing upon the shaft, so as to center the cylinder properly. The cylinder is made slightly tapering, for a purpose which will be presently explained,its inner end-that next to the bearing h-being somewhat larger than its outer end. The inner end of the phonogram-cylinder is constructed as a beveled friction-wheel, i, upon which bears a beveled pinion, i', of some suitable soft material. This pinion i is mounted upon the upper end of the shaft D, which projectsthrough the top plate into the space between the legs of the arched The pinion Z may be provided By the,

with an operative face, of leather or other similar material, mounted upon ametal hub. This metal hub is preferably constructed to slide vertically upon the shaft D, it being prevented from turning thereon by a suitable key, and beneath the pinion is a spiral spring, lZ,which forces the pinion upwardly and keepsitsolidly against the beveledwheelon the innerend ofthe phonogranreylindenso that the wear of thesurfaces is taken up and the pinion is kept in firm Contact. By the use of this beveled frictiontion-gearing, of which the soft-surfaced pinion is a part, I am enabled to change the motion from the vertical shaft of the motor to the horizontal shaft of the phonograrn-cylinder without the production of noise, which would be detrimental to the operation of the instrument. The horizontal arrangement of the moto permits a large fly-wheel to be used, while the compactncss of the instrument is maintained. Between the bearings h and hZ the shaft F is cut with an exceedingly tine screw-thread, j, of the peculiar construction which will be eX- plained farther on, while outside of the bearing h2 the shaft is provided with a hand-wheel, j', by which it can be held when it is desired to remove the phonogram-cylinder from the shaft or remove the phonogram-blank or phonogram from the phonogramcylinder without `taking the latter oftl of the shaft.

Parallel with the shaft F, and 10i-,ated in me rear of the same, is a guide-rod, H, mounted in suitable supports at its ends andextending entirely across the machine. Upon this guide- `rod is an accurately-tting tube, k, which is of such length that it can be moved upon the rod between the supports at the end of the rod a distance equal to the length of the phonogram-cylinder. Upon the end of-this tube next to the phonogram-cylinder is secured the holding-arm, which carries the Vrecorder and reproducer, while at the opposite end of this tube is the guide-arm, which engages with the lead-screw j. The guide-arm is a rigid arm, Z, having a hub which slips on the tube k, and is secured thereto by a set-screw. This guidearm projects toward the shaft F, terminating at its free end above the`screw-thread j. The end of the arm Z is slotted, so as to form two guide-cheeks, between which plays a vertiv cally-sliding block, Z. `upon the screw-thread j, and is cut with a section of the corresponding thread. A spring, Z2, extends along the top of the arm Z, and is secured to the block Z', forcing such block downwardly upon the screw-thread, so that a rocking movement of the tube k can be made within certain limits without disengagingthe block Z from the screw-thread j. The screwthread] and the thread upon the block Z are cut as fine as it is possible to make a screwthread having the desired Wearing capacity. I make this screw-thread, preferably, with about one hundred threads to the inch, and in order to make such a tine thread do the work required of it without danger of the guide-arm This block Z bears' IOO IIO

being forced back, I construct these threads as a ratchet, as shown in Fig. 7, the engaging sides of the threads being straight and the other sides beveled, so that the danger ot' slipping backward is entirely obviated. Upon the other end of the tube 7c is secured the arm I by means of a set-screw, such arm projecting forward over the center ot' the phonogramcylinder. Upon the upper end ot' this arm I is pivoted the holding-frame I', placed nearly at right angles to the arm I, and made, similar to the frame of spectacles, with two eyes, m m. The pivoting-screw m2 for this frame passes through the frame at one side and centrally between the eyes m m', the nut for securing the frame bearing upon the springwasher beneath it, so that the frame will hold itself at either limit of its throw and will not be jarred from position.

The arm I has two horns, m3, through which the set-screws m" pass for limiting the movement of the frame I and for adjusting the point at which the frame will be stopped when swung in either direction, so as to bring its holding eyes in the correct relation to the phonogram-cylinder. These holding-eyes carry the recorder and reproducer, the construction of which will be presently explained, and the object ofthe swinging frame is to permit either the recorder or reproducer to be brought into operative relation with the phonogram-cylinder.

The screws m, bearing upon the swinging frame l', form a means for adjustingsuch frame and the recorder or reprod ucer carried by it laterally with respect to the spiral line of record upon the surface of the phonogram-blank. This adjustment is a matter of especial importance so far as the reprodueer is concerned. The recorder produces the record, and hence makes its own track; but the reproducer must follow that track. It has been proposed to mount the reproducing-point in such a flexible manner that it will follow the track made by the recorder without adjustment; but I have found that the lateral adjustment of the reproducer enables me to bring its point readily into the track of the record, and to give it the proper relation to the record for producing the maximum effects. The adjustment is made while the operator has his ear to the listeniugtube, thecharacterof the reproduced sounds determining when the proper adjustment is reached.

The eyes m m' have fingers u n', which project forward and have passing through them adjusting screws if, which rest as each eye is brought inlo position for operation upon a guide-rest, K, which extends parallel to the shalt F in l'ront of the phonogram-cylinder and suppoi ts the holding-frame at the required elevation to bring the recorder or rcproducer into accurate adjustment. The fingers n n have small handles attached to them,asshown in Fig. 4, by which the swinging holding frame can be more conveniently manipulated. Back of the guide-rod H there is another rest, H,

to receive the arm I when it is thrown back. This rest ispreferably more or less springy in its character, so as not to jar the parts injuriously when the arm is thrown back upon it. Passing through the arm I near the tube lc is the shank of a cutting-tool, L, which is thrown forward byaspring, o, on the inner side of the arm and is retracted by a thumb-nut, o', on the screw-threaded end of the shank outside of the arm. This cutter L is designed to turn oft' the surface of the phonogram or phonogram-blank, so as to make it true for recording,or to turn oftone record and leave the surface ready for another record. This enables one phonogram-blank to be used over and over again for recording and reproducing, the recorder and reproducer being brought into operative relation with the clear surface, as the diameter ofthe phonogram-blank is decreased, by the adjustment of the screws n2, the yielding guide-block l' permitting this to be done.

Upon the arm I, above the swinging holding-frame for the recorder and reproducer, is secured a carrying-plate, M, to which is connected a tube, M. This tube serves as the mouth and ear piece of the instrument, or it may have mouth and ear pieces removably attached to it. The plate M is stationary, and the holding-eyes are swung under it alternately, so that one tube answers both for recording and reproducing, thus adding to the simplicity of the instrument.

The recorder N is a circular plate, which tits either eye, m or m', of the carrying-frame, it heilig provided with a rib engaging with a groove in the eye, so that it will always have thesamepositionintheeye. Itisshownasheld by the eye m. A set-screw, p, is used for holding the plate in the eye. This plate N has an opening,p, through it, which is brought into -line with the tube M when the eye m' is swung into position for the operation ol' the recorder. The back of the plateN is recessed to form a circular chamber, on a shoulder in which is placed the diaphragm N, which is preferably made of Celluloid or some other light material, and is placed in the recess at the back of the plate N, but is lcl't l'ree at its edges. The recordin, 1;-pointp2 is secured to the center of the diaphragm by wax or in any other suitable way. This point is constructed of a thin plate ot'steel,which is cut or ground to a point on one edge and is beveled backwardly away from that edge, so as to give a support for the indenting-point and prevent vibration of that point in operation. This point passes through the end of the lever p3, and is secured therein by a set-screw, p", the point being surrounded between the lever and the diaphragm by a small tube, p5, of rubber or other suitable material. The leverp3 is rigid in its construction, and is mounted upon a cross-pin, p, of considerable length, which isjournaled at its ends at the sides ol" the plate N. The level' p3 extends beyond the pivoting-pin p6 and rests at its outer end against a block, q,which is faced with a piece IOO IOS

IIO

of pure india-rubber, q. This block is set in a recess in the edge of the plate N, and is adjusted forward by a screw, q2. The adjustable block q and its elastic face q form a yielding limiting-stop for the movement of the indenting-point. The other end of the lever p3 extends beyond the indentiug-point p2 and receives inward pressure from aspring, g3, which is secured to the rim of the plate N, opposite to the block q, and presses the lever p and the indenting-point inwardly, so as to give the center of the diaphragm a slight inward bend, producing an initial strain upon the diaphragm. Between the end of the spring qi and the lever p a piece of india-rubber, q, is placed. The leverp, being rigid in its construction and in its support by the long bearing, prevents any vibration of the indeutingpoint, while the adjustable limit-Stop formed by the block Q and rubber q limit the movement of the diaphragm to asmall compass. This construction of recorder I have found exceedingly effective in use. The diaphragm is highly sensitive and responds accurately to speech vibrations. The movement of the indenting-point is quite free within exceedingly small limits; but the resistance to its movement increases enormously as the extent of the movement is increased; hence the importance of the fundamental tones in the operation of the instrument is reduced, while the hissing tones which produce movements of a small extent are given an undue importance in the record. This makes the reproduced sound clear and intelligible, since the hissing sounds are brought out clearly and can be distinguished from the scraping noises of the instrument.

It will be observed that the diaphragm is under constant tension and can have no movenient at all except that which is permitted by the elasticity of the yielding limit-stop g. Heretofore the diaphragm of the phonographrecorderan'd the indenting-poiut have not been limitedin their forward movement, except by the capacity of the diaphragm for vibration. rlhis has permitted strong waves, owing to great momentum and the small amount of energy stored up as a retracting-iorce, to give abnormal and untrnthful vibrations to the diaphragm. Vith my present recorder the diaph ragni does not force the lever forward into space, but compresses matter always in contact-viz., the rubber q; hence nearly all the work is stored up in the compression of q to effect the return movement, and momentum becoming a small factorcompared to thepower stored up, the diaphragm is not given untruthful vibrations. This principle of construction of the recorder I have termed a closed or constrained7 system of movement as distinguished from the open or free sj stem ot' movement heretofore employed.

I do not claim herein the peculiar recorder per se, since it is made thesubject of a separate application for patent filed March 2, 1888, Serial No. 265,887. I

The reproducer which I employ is also' an improved instrument of great effectiveness. It has a plate, O, similar to the plate N, which is held removably in the eye m in the same `way that the plate N is held in the eye m.

This plate O has an opening, u, through it, which is brought into line with the tube M, for bringing the reproducer into operative relation with the phonogram-cylinder. Theplate O is recessed at its back and has stretched across it a diaphragm, O', which is preferably a thin animal membrane. This diaphragm is secured in place by a ring, u', which is secured to the bark of the plate O,whi1e the diaphragm is stretched by another ring, u2, which has a neck screwing into the opening u of the plate, and is capable of being turned by a tool, so as to stretch the diaphragm O more or less. To one edge of the ring u is secured a tine springwire, ai, which is long enough to reach from the'point where it is secured to the center of the diaphragm, and has its inner end t'urned downwardly, as. shown, to follow the spiral line of indentations upon the phonogram. The inner end of this spring-wire u is attached to the center of the diaphragm by a strip, u, of rubber. The tendency ofthe spring-wire is to bend away from the diaphragm, so that it strains the small rubber strip u* and places the diaphragm underan initial tension. The movement of the point of the wire u3 in reproducing is so szight that the lstrain isr never wholly removed from the rubber strip u, and hence the diaphragm is always under tension, which tends to draw it outwardly at the center. This makes the instrument exceedingly sensitive and capable of reproducing sounds accurately. The end of the wire a3 being rounded and burnished, it will not obliterate the phonogramrecord, even though that record is made in quite soft material.

I have found that by connecting the reproducing-point with the diaphragm by a strip of elastic material-such as rubber held under tension-the proper wave motion is transmitted to the diaphragm,but the scratching noises, which seem to require molecular transmission, are largely obliterated.

I do not claim herein the peculiar reproducer per se, since this is made the subject of a separate application for patent filed March 2, 1888, Serial No. 265,888.

The indenting-point of the recorder has an appreciable width, while the reproducingpoint of the reproducer is much finer; hence the track of indentations ,on the phonogram will be much wider than the reproducingpoint and the adjustment ofthe reproducingpoint laterally with respect to the indented track need not be extremely accurate. Should the reproducing-point be found to rest only on the edge of the indented track-which will be indicated by imperfect reprodu'ction-the adjustment of one of the screws m4 while thelistening-tube is held to the ear will cause the spectacles to be adjusted so as to bring the reproducing-point sufficiently into the in- IZO dented track to give the required clearness of reproduction.

It will be observed that both the recorder and reproducer are complete instruments, each in itself, held by a plate readily removable from the machine. This enables these instruments, which are delicate parts of the apparatus, to be readily removed from the machine for repairs, adjustment, or replacement by other similar parts. As has been previouslystated,thephonogram-cylinderisslightly tapering. This is also true of the bore of the phonogram-blanks P, which are constructed of a cylinder, r, of some hard material and covered with a recording-surface, s, of Wax or a Wax-like substance. The recording-surface s is a true cylinder, while, as before stated, the internal bore of the cylinder r is tapering to fit the phonogram-cylinder, so that the phonogram-blank can be pushed upon the cylinder and will be held thereon by friction. I propose to make these phonogram-blanks the entire length ofthe phonogramcylinder and also to divide such full-length phonogram-blanks into parts, so that sectional phonogram-blanks will be produced,which will,be,for illustration, one-fourth, one-half, and three fourths the length of the full-sized phonogram-blank. All of these sectional phonogram-blanks as well as the full-sized phonogram-blank will have the tapering bore, so that they can be pushed upon the tapering phonogranrcylinder until they bind and theinstrument can then be adj usted to them for recording and reproducing.

I do not claim herein a phonogram-blank or phonogram having a recording-surface of Wax or a wax-like material, nor such a device when the wax surface is mounted on a backing of tougher material, such features being claimed in my application No. 734, Serial No. 252,964. Neither do I claim herein a phonogram-blank or phonogram having a tapering bore, or such a bore and a cylindrical recording-surface, since these latter features are set forth and claimed in my Patent No. 382,418, dated May 8, 1888.

By having the phonogranrcylinder mounted upon the shaft F outside of the bearing h the phonogram-blanks can be slipped onto and off of the cylinder Without disturbing any part of the machine. Upon the guide-rest K, I mark a graduated scale, t, by which I can set the reproducing-instrument for reproducing from any part of the phonogram.

A phonogram may have upon its surface the record of two or more letters or other papers or memoranda, and a note may be filed with the phonogram stating between what numbers on the scale t each letter or memorandum is recorded on the phonogram. This will enable the instrument to be set for reproducing the exact letter or memorandum by adjustment with reference to the scale t. As shown in Fig. 4, a pan, R, may be slipped under the phonogram-cylinder G upon the frame A, for receiving the shavings from the ph onogram or phonogram-blank when the cutter L is being used.

For the control of the instrument it is only necessary thata proper circuit-breaker should be placed in the circuit between the battery and the motor, so that the motor can be stopped and started at will. It will be observed that by raising the recorder or reproducer off 0f the phonogram-eylinder the yielding guideblock Z', which takes into the lead-screw j,will also be raised out of engagement with the leadscrew, and, although the phonogram-cylinder continues to turn, the recorder or reproducer is not advanced. This enables an operator of the instrument to set the instrument back any distance he may desire to rep rodnce over again any portion of the matter which he has misunderstood or desires to have repeated.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a phonograph, the combination, with the revolving phonogram-carrying shaft and phonogram-cylinder adapted to carry a removable phonogram-blank, of an electric motor having a heavy fiy-wheel, armatures carried by such fly-wheel, electro-magnets attracting such armatures, and a commutator, substantially as set forth.

2. In a phonograph, the combination, with the horizontal shaft carrying the phonogram, of a vertical shaft, an electro-magnetic motor mounted upon such vertical shaft, and a beveled frietiongearing transmitting the motion from the vertical shaft to the horizontal shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. In a phonograph, the combination, with the vertical shaft carrying the balance-wheel, electro-magnetic motor,and stepped in a jewelbearing,of the horizontal phonogram-carrying shaft, and the beveled friction-gearing having one wheel of soft material, substantially as set forth.

4. In a phonograph, the combination of the electro-magnetic motor, consisting of a heavy fly-wheel carrying armatures on its periphery, magnets attracting such armatures, and a commutator with a centrifugal governor controlling the electric circuit of the motor and maintaining a uniform speed of such motor, and a phonogram-carrying shaft connected with the motor by friction-gearing, substantially as set forth.

5. The eombination,with the vertical motorshaft, of the horizontal phonogram-shaft carrying a beveled friction-wheel, and a beveled friction-pinion of soft material mounted on the motor-shaft and pressed against the wheel on the phonogram shaft by aspring, substantially as set forth.

6. In a phonograph, the combination, with a phonogram-cylinder and advancing screw` thread, of a swinging frame carrying together theseparate recorder and reproducer and adapted to bring either into position for operation by the swinging of the frame, substantially as set forth.

7. In a phonograph, the combination, with IOO - frame carrying the recorder and reproducer,

and a stationary plate carrying the single speaking or listening tube, the swinging of the frame bringing either the recorder or reprodncer into operative relation with the surface and with the speaking or listening tube, substantially as set forth. l

9. In a phonograph, the combination,with a revolving phonograrn-cylinder, an arm having a movement parallel with the axis of saidV cylinder, and the reproducer carried by a frame mounted on such arm and adjustable laterally thereon, whereby the reproducer can be readily adjusted to the record, substantially as set forth.

10. In a phonograph, the reproducer carried by a pivoted frame swinging across the lines of record, and an adjusting-screw for determining the lateral position of the reproducer, substantially as set forth.

11. In aphonograph, the combination,with the revolving phon ogram-cylinder, of the holding-arm mounted to swing toward and away from the surface of said cylinder, and the reproducer mounted on such arm and laterally adjustable thereon, substantially as set forth.

12. In aphonograph, the co1nbination,with

the revolving phonogram-cylinder,of the holding-arm mounted to swing toward and away from the surface of such cylinder, the reproducer mounted on such arm and laterally adjustable thereon, an adjusting-screw for determining the position of the holding-arm relative to the phonogram-cylinder, and an adjusting-screw for determining the lateral position of the reproducer, substantially as set forth.

13. In a phonograph, the combination,with the revolving phonogram-cylinder, of the advancing holding-arm carrying the recorder or reproducer, and a stationary guiderest for supporting the holding-arm in proper relation with the phonogram-cylinder, substantially as set fort-h.

14. In a phonograph, the combination,with the revolving phonogram-cylinder, of the advancing holding-arm carrying the recorder or reproducer, a stationary guide rest for supporting the holding arm in proper relation with the phonogram-cylinder, and an adjusting-screw for adjusting the height of the holding-arm above the guide-rest, substantiallyas set forth.

1,5. In a phonograph, the combination,with the phonograrn-cylinder and the lead-screw, an arm carrying the recorder or reproducer, a guide-arm connected with the carrying-arm, ayielding guide-block engaging with the leadscrew, a guide-rest, and an adjusting-screw for adjusting the height of the carrying-arm upon the guide-rest, substantially as set forth.

16. In a phonograph, the combination,with the swinging arm and the recorder or reproducer carried thereby,of the springy back-rest upon which such carrying-arm is thrown, substantially as set forth.

17. In a phonograph, the combination, with the revolving phonogram-cylinder, of the advancing recorder or reproducer, and the scale for determining the position of the recording or reproducing point upon the phonogram or blank, substantially as set forth.

18. In a phonograph, the combination, with the revolving phonograrm cylinder, and recorder and reproducer mounted upon an advancing holding-arm and adjustable toward and away from the phonogram-cylinder, of a cutting-tool movable with such holding-arm and ind ependentlyadj ustable toward and away from the phonogram-cylinder, whereby the recorder and reproducer can be adjusted out of operative engagement with the phonogramblank, and the cutting-tool can be adj usted for- Ward into engagement with such blank, substantiall y as set forth.

19. In a phonograph, the combination, with the revolving phonograrn-cylinder and theleadscrew, of the arm carrying the recorder or reproducer, a cutting-tool on such arm for reducing the surface of the phonogram or blank, and a guide-arm engaging the lead-screw and advancing the carrying-arm, substantially as set forth.

20. In a phonograph, the combination, with the revolving phonogram cylinder, of the swinging arm carrying the recorder or reproducer, a cutting-tool also carried by said arm, a guide-rest, ascrew for adjusting the position of the recorder or reproducer and said cuttingy tool with relation to the phonogram or blank surface, and a yielding guide-block engaging with the lead-screw and advancing said carrying-arm, substantially as set forth.

21. In a phonograph, the combination, with the cylinder-shaft having a ne screw-thread, the phonogramcylinder mounted on such shaft, a stationary guide-rod, a sleeve mounted on such guide-rod and capable of sliding and turning movements thereon, a guide-arm secured to said sleeve and having a screwthreaded guide block engaging the screwthread, and the holding-arm for the recorder or reproducer, also secured to said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

22. In a phonograph, the combination, with the oy1indershaft having a fine screw-thread, the phonogram-cylinder mounted on such shaft, a stationary guide-rod, a sleeve mounted on such guide-rod and capable of sliding and turning movements thereon, a guide-arm secured to said sleeve and having a screwthreaded guide block engaging the screwthread, the holding-arm for the recorder or reroo producer, also secured to said sleeve, and a guide-rest for determining the rotary position of the guide-sleeve, substantially as set forth.

23. In a phonograph, the combination, with the cylinder-shaft having a fine screw-thread, the phonogram cylinder mounted on such shaft. a guide-rod and sleeve, a guide-arm secured to said sleeve and havingasercwthreaded yielding guide-block engaging the screwthread, the holdingarm for the recorder or reproducer, also secured to said sleeve, and a guiderest for determining the rotary position of the guide-sleeve, substantiall y as set forth.

24. In a phonograph, the phonogram-eylinder tapering throughout its length, snbstantially as set forth.

25. In a phonograph, the combination, with the cylinder-shaft mounted in bearings and projecting at one end beyond such bearings, of a smoothvsurface phonog1'an1-cylinder tapering throughout its length and carried by the shaft outside of its bearings, substantially as set forth.

26. In a phonograph, the combination, with a tapering phonogram-cylinder, of two or more phonogram-blanks of different lengths having tapering bores adaptd to fit said phonogramcylinder and provided with cylindrical record ingsurfaces, substantially as set forth.

27. In a phonograph, the combination, with a tapering phonogram-cylinder, of a phonogram having a tapering bore and a cylindrical outer surface held upon said cylinder by friction, substantially as set forth.

28. In a phonograph, the combination, with a holding-frame, of the recording and reproducing devices constructed each as a complete sel f-contained body removably attached to said holding-frame, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 22d day of November, 1887.

THOS. A. EDISON. 

